When we think about the negative health results correlated to eating too much fast food we are usually talking up obesity or diabetes, but how does it affect our brains – especially the developing minds of children?
According to a new study published in Clinical Pediatrics, a survey of 8,544 fifth-graders who eat fast food struggle academically once they are in the eighth grade.
For the study, based on a 2004 food consumption questionnaire, the kids were asked how often they eat fast food. The results showed that more than two-thirds said they had eaten in a fast-food restaurant in the previous week. Just over half said they had eaten in a fast-food restaurant one to three times, and 10 percent ate in one daily.
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“These results provide initial evidence that fast-food consumption is associated with deleterious academic outcomes among children,” the study by Ohio State University and University of Texas researchers said, according to the Huffington Post.
In terms of growth in achievement, the researchers found that eighth-graders who ate fast food daily were behind those who ate no fast food by four points in reading. They were behind by three points in math and four points in science. The results may be caused by lower levels of nutrients in fast foods, especially iron. The high level of fat and sugar often found in fast-food meals also can affect attention and reaction times, the report said.
The link between fast-food eating and academic performance remained intact even when such variables as physical activity, television watching and socioeconomic status were included, it said.
For the study, based on a 2004 food consumption questionnaire, the kids were asked how often they eat fast food. The results showed that more than two-thirds said they had eaten in a fast-food restaurant in the previous week. Just over half said they had eaten in a fast-food restaurant one to three times, and 10 percent ate in one daily.
[Photo from flickr user EvelynGiggles]